Stand-ins Are Always Drawn to Each Other

"Are you... Ayanokoji-kun and Chiba-kun?"

Following the source of the voice, Chiba Yu saw two girls standing in front of the counter he had just visited.

"Karuizawa-san, and this is... Matsushita-san?"

Two young, beautiful girls were greeting him and even knew his name; it was only reasonable to offer a reply.

"Oh?" Matsushita covered her mouth, looking somewhat surprised. "I didn't expect Chiba-kun to remember our names too."

Regarding Matsushita's remark, Chiba Yu tilted his head in confusion and asked, "Is that strange?"

"Not really, I suppose," Matsushita explained. "It's just that when everyone was introducing themselves, I saw you staring out the door as if you were zoning out, so I assumed you hadn't been paying attention."

Listening to Matsushita, I couldn't help but sigh inwardly. I quickly composed myself and asked, "Are you two here to buy daily necessities as well?"

The two girls didn't seem to mind that I had changed the subject.

"Yeah, after all, aside from the beds and such, the dorms are completely empty."

At this moment, Matsushita noticed the baskets in the hands of Chiba Yu and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. She couldn't help but take a few extra looks, then wore a stunned expression as she asked, "Are Chiba-kun and Ayanokoji-kun really this... frugal?"

Perhaps because she saw that we were picking out the cheapest items, even Karuizawa couldn't help but glance over a few times.

To this, Chiba Yu simply replied casually, "It might be due to my previous lifestyle habits." After saying this, he glanced toward Ayanokoji.

Ayanokoji, understanding what Chiba Yu meant, didn't speak, merely nodding in agreement.

"I see... then..."

"Alright, Matsushita, let's hurry up and go. We still have so much left to buy."

Only then did Chiba Yu notice that Karuizawa Kei, who had been standing beside Matsushita, seemed to be growing impatient. Furthermore, Chiba Yu could even detect a hint of... disgust in her expression.

I see... he understood now.

"Well, let's leave it at that. We still have a lot of things to buy, so we'll be going now."

"I see. In that case, we won't bother you any further."

After making up a random excuse, Chiba Yu pulled Ayanokoji Kiyotaka away first. Fortunately, Ayanokoji was someone who could read the atmosphere, and he followed directly behind Chiba Yu.

Before leaving, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka took a subtle look at Karuizawa Kei. Upon seeing the impatient expression on her face, he didn't linger any longer.

"That, they..."

"It's nothing, just classmates. Besides, since they don't seem to like us, there's no need for us to stay and risk causing them any dissatisfaction."

While paying, Chiba Yu answered Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's question. Ayanokoji didn't say anything more in response.

Afterward, the two walked to a toiletries store, intending to buy some shampoo and similar items.

Just as they were browsing, 'trouble' found them once again.

"Another annoying coincidence."

Indeed, from any perspective, for Chiba Yu, who just wanted to shop in peace, this was a very irritating coincidence.

Horikita Suzune was the person Chiba Yu wanted to get involved with the least, because anything related to her meant trouble. However, Chiba Yu naturally couldn't show that on his face.

"Hello, my name is Chiba Yu. Nice to meet you." Chiba Yu took the initiative to greet her.

But Horikita Suzune only glanced at him briefly before immediately looking away.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. We'll be desk-mates from now on, so nice to meet you. And you are?" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka followed up by introducing himself.

But clearly, Horikita Suzune didn't want to engage with either of them, continuing to pick out her items on her own.

Seeing this, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka continued in a flat tone, "It wouldn't hurt to tell us your name, would it?"

Horikita Suzune ignored him, instead casting a look at Chiba Yu, who was standing beside Ayanokoji. "In that case, it wouldn't hurt for me to refuse, would it? By the way, is he the new friend you've made?"

Hearing this, Ayanokoji secretly glanced at Chiba Yu, wanting to explain, but was interrupted by Chiba Yu.

"We're from neighboring dorms. As of now, we can be considered friends, right, Ayanokoji?"

"..." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, not expecting Chiba Yu to say that, paused for a moment before confirming, "Yes."

"..." Horikita Suzune looked at the two of them calmly, then turned her head back, her mouth opening faintly: "Horikita Suzune. That is my name."

After that, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka recommended some effective but more expensive toiletries to Horikita Suzune, but she rejected them outright.

Chiba Yu had no intention of interfering. Horikita hadn't been humbled by reality yet and was still incredibly arrogant; Chiba Yu wasn't very good at dealing with people like that.

Just as he was slowly picking out the things he needed, a shout from outside the convenience store suddenly caught his attention.

"Don't look down on people!"

"Heh, you're from Class D, aren't you?"

"So what if I am!"

A heated argument reached Chiba Yu's ears. He turned his head slowly to look toward the entrance of the convenience store.

He saw a red-haired student confronting three others. Even facing the three of them, the red-haired student's spirit didn't waver; one could even say he was still acting aggressively.

Seeing this scene, Chiba Yu roughly understood what was happening, but he didn't react, instead sighing helplessly.

"So, for a Class D like this, it would be the biggest anomaly if they didn't end up with zero points next month."

"Um... isn't he from our class?"

Just then, Ayanokoji and Horikita had finished picking out their items and were heading to the counter to pay. Seeing me there, they asked us the question.

"Getting involved with someone like that would lower my standards," Horikita Suzune said mercilessly.

I simply shrugged, signaling that it had nothing to do with us and that I had no intention of getting involved.

Finally, once the four of them had left, Chiba Yu took his purchased items and walked out of the store ahead of Ayanokoji.

Looking at the trash scattered across the ground and the overturned bin by the entrance, both of them stopped in their tracks simultaneously.

Gradually, under Chiba Yu's gaze, Ayanokoji walked slowly toward the trash can and set it upright.

Seeing this, Chiba Yu had no reason not to help. After all, his persona was just that of a slacker; if he didn't see a small act of kindness, he could ignore it, but since it was happening right in front of him, there was no reason to stand by.

As he helped pick up the trash, Chiba Yu spoke nonchalantly, "Tell me, Ayanokoji, do you really think the school is kind enough to just hand us 100,000 points every month like this?"